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Vacation Beach Dam Information

Update July 11–Information on RRRPD and how we work with the County of Sonoma. 

Hi Everyone

There is confusion about Russian River Recreation and Park District (RRRPD) and how we operate, so we hope this update provides clarity.

Russian River Rec and Park is a special district of the county. To quote the California Special District Association, of which we’re a member, “Special districts are local governments created by the people of a community to deliver specialized services essential to their health, safety, economy and well-being. A community forms a special district, which are political subdivisions authorized through a state’s statutes, to provide specialized services the local city or county do not provide.”

We currently have a staff of three — a new district manager began this spring, Amanda Benton, who replaced Nathan Junge, and two maintenance crew members — Anthony Watson and Nick Hendry. This year, our long-time maintenance supervisor, John Condon, retired. John spent 15 years with RRRPD, and we’re glad he can now spend time with his family and volunteer at the Hollydale Club in Forestville. Thank you, John! We’re currently hiring for a new Maintenance Crew Lead. Please see the job announcement.

RRRPD consists of the staff and a volunteer board of five local community members and was originally formed in 1941. You can read more about us here: https://www.russianriverrecpark.org

RRRPD is not part of Sonoma County Regional Parks, which operates Steelhead, Sunset, Guerneville River Park, Forestville River Park, and the new Monte Rio Park, in addition to the other parks throughout Sonoma County. Sonoma County Regional Parks is an organization with many staff members and volunteers. We are lucky to be able to consult with them as needed, but they are not a special district.

RRRPD is accountable to the public through  the Brown Act defined here: 

“The Brown Act or “Open Meeting Law” is officially known as the Ralph M. Brown Act and is found in the California Government Code § 54950 et seq. 1. The Brown Act was enacted in 1953 to guarantee the public’s right to attend and participate in meetings of local legislative bodies, and as a response to growing concerns about local government officials’ practice of holding secret meetings that were not in compliance with advance public notice requirements. The Brown Act is pivotal in making public officials accountable for their actions and in allowing the public to participate in the decision-making process.”

What does this mean to you? RRRPD monthly board meetings are open to you, the local community. It is your chance to come participate and work with the board on community issues, such as the Vacation Beach dam, and to understand the process we have to go through to repair and reopen it, which we hope to do as soon as possible. We want the same thing as you do. 

Your opportunity to contribute is during the “Public Comment” sections of the agenda — the first, early in the meeting, for items not on the agenda, followed by “Public Comment” periods scheduled with each agenda item. The board opens the floor for discussion to hear what our local community has to say. Each person has 2 minutes to share their thoughts. While the board can’t directly respond or comment, we do listen and very much appreciate public participation.

Our next meeting is Wednesday, July 16, 6pm at the Russian River Senior Center on Armstrong Woods Rd in Guerneville. Please join us.

 

Russian River Recreation and Park District Update on Vacation Beach Dam Installation Delay and Remediation Efforts

Update--July 3, 2025 We, the Russian River Recreation and Park District, understand the community is keenly interested in the status of the Vacation Beach Dam. While there have been no official changes this week, we're committed to providing regular updates. Our District Manager, Amanda, is diligently progressing through the permitting process with Sonoma County and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. We've also conferred with the Division of Safety of Dams regarding the project's scope.

Next week, we expect to gain further clarity on the potential CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) process and the specific permits required for various components of the project scope. As soon as we have a timeline to share, we will make it available.

 

Update--June 21, 2025 The Russian River Recreation and Park District (RRRPD) issues a comprehensive update regarding the status of the Vacation Beach Dam (VBD) and the expected delay for 2025. The board and staff are grateful for everyone who attended Wednesday night’s meeting and those who reached out in the last few weeks, emphasizing this level of interest is proof of the project's importance to the community.

On August 29, 2024, one of the I-beam uprights on the Neeley Road side of the Vacation Beach Dam failed. An inspection revealed the flange supporting one of the lower boards eroded, causing the board to shift. This resulted in an uncontrolled release of water.

As a result, on September 25, 2024, the Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) conducted an inspection of the Vacation Beach Dam. The RRRPD received DSOD’s detailed report on November 5, 2024, which states the dam may NOT be reinstalled until DSOD provides explicit approval of both the repair plans and the completed repair. In late winter, RRRPD engaged MKM & Associates, Inc., structural engineers based in Rohnert Park, to evaluate the damage and develop comprehensive plans for the necessary repairs. To ensure the integrity of the proposed backfilling operation, MKM requested geotechnical guidance, leading to the engagement of Bauer Associates, a geotechnical firm from Forestville, to provide expert consultation.

 

"We absolutely want to see the Vacation Beach Dam installed as soon as safely and legally possible," states the Russian River Rec and Park Board. "We see and hear you… and are committed to providing transparent and timely information regarding the Vacation Beach Dam, ensuring all necessary measures are taken to restore safety andrecreational opportunities as quickly and responsibly as possible."

The District filed the application for repair with the DSOD and is actively consulting with other critical permitting agencies, following DSOD's advice. These agencies include, but are not limited to, the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW), the Army Corps of Engineers, and Sonoma County (Permit Sonoma).

 

DSOD determined a Lake and Streambed Alteration Agreement (LSA Agreement) is required. This is a complex permitting process requiring a CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) lead agency certification and projections of total costs. Approval for this permit may take as long as 90 days.

The Russian River Recreation and Park District continues to reach out to all relevant agencies, including local and state representatives, for support and guidance through this intricate process.

 

Where to Find Updates:

The Russian River Recreation and Park District encourages the public to visit the sites below for transparent updates on remediation efforts, revised timelines, and safety advisories until the dam is successfully reinstalled.

Please refer to:

About the Russian River Recreation and Park District

The Russian River Recreation and Park District is dedicated to providing quality parks, recreation programs, and community services that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors within the Russian River area.

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Update--June 4, 2025 Firstly, we want to thank everyone in our wonderful community for the continued support and interest in the dam at Vacation Beach.

We are committed to ensuring the dam gets installed safely and in accordance with the appropriate regulations. We have obtained schematics for the necessary repairs and have filed them with the Division of Dam Safety. When the plans are approved, we will begin working with the assigned team to execute the necessary repairs. It is likely repairs will include replacing the upright metal supports and boards currently impounded on the Nealy Rd side of the river. This will include the careful movement of decades of river deposit and the use of heavy equipment near and possibly within the river channel. We are so grateful for the community support and understanding how careful and deliberate we must be with these actions.

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Update--April, 20, 2025  We are following all necessary steps to repair the flash board dam at Vacation Beach. Engineering plans are in hand and the initial applications have been filed with regulatory agencies. There are many permits and sign-offs needed in order for the work to be completed, and we do not yet know when we will be able to begin work at the Vacation Beach site.

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Update--March 20, 2025 The Russian River Recreation and Park District (RRRPD) would like to inform the public of a potential delay in installing the Vacation Beach Dam, initially scheduled for mid-June 2025. Updates regarding the design, planning, construction, and inspection progress will be provided regularly.

On August 29, 2024, an uncontrolled release of the Vacation Beach Dam occurred, necessitating the early removal of the dam. Following this event, RRRPD notified the Department of Water Resources (DWR), and a Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD) Field Engineer inspected the dam on September 25, 2024. Subsequently,  the DSOD sent a letter  in January 2025, stating:

"DSOD is restricting the (Vacation Beach Dam) to zero storage, and the dam may not be reinstalled until the repair work is satisfactorily completed and DSOD gives written approval to store water."

In response, RRRPD immediately engaged a structural engineer and soils engineer to work on the required documentation to comply with DSOD requirements.

The Department of Water Resources typically takes 30 to 60 days to review and respond to each submittal, and the approval process generally requires two to three submittals. Once the approved plans are received, RRRPD can put the project out for bid and establish a more precise construction timeline. Based on previous permits, work can begin in the Russian River as early as May 15, provided the river flow is low enough to permit construction. However, construction cannot proceed until the plans have been approved.

RRRPD is communicating with the Sonoma County Building Department and the Division of Safety of Dams to explore ways to expedite the applications, as this repair is considered minor. So far, the feedback is positive, and the situation remains hopeful that it can move forward as efficiently as possible.

The Russian River Recreation and Park District is responsible for constructing and maintaining eight parks within our boundaries, including the Vacation Beach and Johnson’s Beach dams. However, it is important to note that the County of Sonoma is responsible for the Vacation Beach summer crossing. Any inquiries regarding the timing and installation of the summer crossing should be directed to Sonoma Public Infrastructure.

RRRPD will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available through a new newsletter to inform the public of progress. To receive updates directly, please visit the RRRPD newsletter sign-up page (https://www.russianriverrecpark.org/rrrpd-newsletter). For additional information about Russian River Recreation and park services, please visit  russianriverrecpark.org.

At this time, there are no delays in the mid-June installation date of the Johnson’s Beach Dam.

 

Thank you for your patience and support in restoring the Vacation Beach Dam safely and efficiently.

 

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